Flight time: Denver to São Paulo
Denver International Airport (DEN) → São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) · long haul · north america south america
The flight from Denver (DEN) to São Paulo (GRU) takes approximately 10h 48m to 12h 08m gate-to-gate, covering 9,265 km (5,757 mi). This long-haul north america south america route uses a cruise speed of 820–900 km/h with 30–50 minutes of ground and air overhead.
- Route:
- Denver (DEN) → São Paulo (GRU)
- Distance:
- 9,265 km (5,757 mi)
- Flight time:
- 10h 48m to 12h 08m gate-to-gate
- Route type:
- long-haul, north america south america
- Cruise speed:
- 820–900 km/h
- Ground overhead:
- 30–50 minutes included
- Over water:
- No — continental
- Origin:
- Denver International Airport, United States (America/Denver)
- Destination:
- São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil (America/Sao_Paulo)
Route details
| Origin | Denver, United States (DEN) |
| Destination | São Paulo, Brazil (GRU) |
| Distance | 9,265 km (5,757 mi) |
| Flight time (low) | 10h 48m |
| Flight time (high) | 12h 08m |
| Route type | long-haul, north america south america |
| Cruise speed | 820–900 km/h |
| Ground overhead | 30–50 minutes |
| Over water | No — continental routing |
| Time difference | +4h (eastbound) |
Distance breakdown: Denver to São Paulo
The 9,265-km great-circle distance between Denver (39.86°N, 104.67°W) and São Paulo (-23.44°N, 46.47°W) spans 63.3° of latitude and 58.2° of longitude, trending primarily east. In miles, this is 5,757 mi or 5003 nautical miles. The great-circle path — the shortest distance over Earth's curved surface — is calculated using the Haversine formula from the two airports' precise coordinates.
Cruise speed and flight phases
On this 9,265-km long-haul route, aircraft spend the majority of the 10h 48m to 12h 08m journey at optimal cruise altitude of 35,000–42,000 feet, where modern wide-body jets achieve true airspeeds of 820–900 km/h (Mach 0.82–0.86). The initial climb and final descent represent a smaller fraction of total flight time compared to shorter routes. Aircraft like the Boeing 777, 787, or Airbus A350 typically operate routes of this distance, with step climbs during the flight to reach progressively more efficient altitudes as fuel burns off and the aircraft lightens.
Ground time and routing overhead
Our 30–50 minutes overhead allowance covers: taxi-out at DEN, takeoff and initial climb, descent and approach at GRU, and taxi-in to the gate. DEN is a major international hub where taxi times of 15–25 minutes are common during peak periods. At GRU, arrival taxi and gate assignment can add 10–20 minutes, especially during busy arrival banks. Continental air traffic corridors between Denver and São Paulo may add 3–8% beyond the great-circle distance. Standard instrument departures and arrivals at both airports use predefined routing that adds distance but ensures safe separation.
Return flight: São Paulo → Denver
The return flight from São Paulo to Denver is generally similar in duration to the outbound — typically within 10–20 minutes. Continental routes like this one are less affected by the jet stream asymmetry that makes oceanic east-west routes so uneven. The main variables affecting any difference are: prevailing winds at these latitudes (modest effect), different standard instrument departures/arrivals at each airport (minor effect), and air traffic congestion patterns that vary by time of day and direction.
View São Paulo → Denver flight time detailsSeasonal variation in flight times
Flight times between Denver and São Paulo vary modestly by season — typically 10–20 minutes. Upper-level wind patterns shift with the seasons: winter generally brings stronger westerly winds at these latitudes, while summer patterns are more variable. Thunderstorm activity along the route corridor peaks in summer months, occasionally causing routing diversions that add distance. Winter operations may include de-icing delays at DEN, which extend the overall gate-to-gate time.
Airport information
Denver International Airport (DEN) is a major international hub in Denver, United States. As a tier-1 airport, it handles high traffic volumes, which means longer average taxi times but also higher flight frequency and competition that can benefit travelers on pricing. São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is a major international hub in São Paulo, Brazil. As a tier-1 airport, it handles high traffic volumes, which means longer average taxi times but also higher flight frequency and competition that can benefit travelers on pricing.